Hokies Feel Like Kings For A Day

September 03, 1989|By DAVE JOHNSON Staff Writer

BLACKSBURG — For Jon Jeffries, the feeling of winning with no pain was an unfamiliar experience.

Jeffries, hampered by injuries during a frustrating 1988 season, rushed for 93 yards and scored two touchdowns Saturday as Virginia Tech defeated the University of Akron 29-3 at Lane Stadium. It was the Hokies' first opening-game victory in five years.

"It really feels good. Everything feels good," said Jeffries, who gained 80 of his yards in the third period. "Last year, I stayed hurt. The problem was I never rested my injuries. I played each week and stayed hurt.

"It feels good to have a winning record. I'm tired of losing. I hate losing."

The Hokies easily manhandled a Zip defense that was missing four starters because of injuries. Tech gained 405 yards in total offense, 253 passing. Sophomore quarterback Will Furrer was 10-of-18, better than 50 percent for only the fourth time in his 12-game career, for 211 yards and three touchdowns.

Although their offense became sluggish in the second quarter (17 total yards), the Hokies' 29 points was their fourth highest since Coach Frank Beamer arrived before the 1987 season. After three plays and a punt on its opening drive, Tech scored on three straight possessions to take a 16-0 lead with 1:32 remaining in the first quarter.

Furrer, who was 7-of-8 for 158 yards in the first quarter, took advantage of an Akron defense that insisted on playing man-to-man coverage. The Hokies' first touchdown was set up when Furrer noticed Zip linebacker Terry Mays picked up Jeffries. Furrer lobbed a pass down the middle for a 53-yard gain to the Akron 8-yard line.

Furrer found Jeffries again on the next play to give Tech a 7-0 lead.

"Well, the plan was to arc the ball the degree of sine over cosine and get the ball to Jon," Furrer said when asked about the play that set up the touchdown. "Actually, Jon was the third read, but he was the first read the way the defense adjusted to the coverage.

"The free safety came over to cover our two receiver and that put a linebacker on Jon. You and I both know Jon can outrun a linebacker."

After Mickey Thomas kicked a 21-yard field goal with 4:06 remaining in the quarter, Furrer again exploited the Zips' single coverage. On first-and-20 at the Akron 39, Furrer lofted a pass to wide receiver Myron Richardson, who was being covered by Scott Rindfuss. Richardson easily beat the coverage, caught the ball at the 25 and scored. Thomas' kick was blocked and Tech led 16-0.

"We knew they'd throw a lot of man coverage at us," said Richardson, who caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from Furrer in the fourth quarter. "I really want man coverage, because I feel I'm a lot faster than the average guy."

Said Furrer: "They would either be in a man or combo one side and go man on the other. Myron did a great job to beat that guy."

After struggling in the second period, Tech recovered in the third behind its ground game. On the Hokies' second possession, Jeffries went up the middle, cut left and went 40 yards for a touchdown, his longest run since his freshman season.

"I started celebrating that one a little too early," said Jeffries, who raised his fist when he got to the 25. "I haven't heard from (Beamer) yet, but I will."

Akron's only points, Beamer said, can be blamed on him and his staff. On a fourth-and-nine at the Tech 36, Akron confused the Hokies. Beamer sent out his punt return team, but freshman Daron Alcorn made a 53-yard field goal.

"When they came off the field, they were mad at us," Beamer said. "I like that attitude. They didn't want to give up any points."

Tech's defense limited Akron to 139 total yards. Quarterback Mike Johnson, who concerned Beamer, was only 10-of-26 for 96 yards. The Zips didn't make a first down until midway through the second quarter.

Johnson spent most of the day running for his life. The Hokies' were able to keep the senior quarterback under pressure all afternoon, but sacked him only twice.

"We kept him running back there," Beamer said. "I thought we missed him a few times when he was back there, but we made him scramble."

The Hokies' wide-tackle-six has had trouble defending the option, but Akron gained only 43 yards on the ground.

"We have four great outside linebackers that shut down the pitch," defensive end Jimmy Whitten said. "We followed the quarterback down the line. All you have to do is keep up with him."